Bhagavati (Sharon) Nani – Page 51

July 16, 2023

Doing nothing and loving it

Yesterday truly did me in.

But of course, I had to once again get up early and make it through a morning of singing for Sunday service. It was beautiful and inspiring, as usual, but it took some real work to keep my energy up.

But then…?

…aahhhh. Nothing. Niente. Nada.

Ramesha went off to the Buttes with a friend and I pretty much crashed…but in the nicest, most quiet and subtle way possible.

I read a silly novel. I napped a little. I caught up on a few emails (but nothing demanding). And read some more while drinking a cup of herbal tea.

I eventually worked up to folding laundry and doing dishes.

I didn’t go anywhere or talk to anyone. And it was just what I needed.

July 15, 2023

Morning, afternoon, evening

It was a non-stop day, especially considering it was Saturday!

And I’m still not quite done.

July 14, 2023

I spent a fair amount of time this morning talking on the phone with a friend who’s dealing with a serious cancer diagnosis and difficult treatment scenario. She’ll probably be facing a stem cell transplant in a few weeks and wanted to talk with me about my experience.

I was happy to answer questions, listen to her concerns, and just generally offer support. What I didn’t anticipate was how our conversation would make me realize how distanced I felt from an experience that was unbelievably intense at the time.

It brought to mind something I read just the other day (can’t remember where, unfortunately), about how — while our human brains will remember that something was painful — we can’t actually feel that pain again (which must be why women are able to give birth multiple times).

Of course, it all started coming back to me as I dredged up my memories. And I suddenly realized that this time last year I was in full-on transplant preparation mode.

To bring it into clearer focus, I went back to my July 2022 calendar and discovered that from July 11-29 I had twenty different medical appointments — from lab draws and chemo infusions; to oncologist, cardiology, pulmonary, and physical therapy appointments; culminating in my second bone marrow biopsy.

And now? It’s hard to believe all that really happened.

Rather strange, actually.

July 13, 2023

Something to think about

A little something to reflect on as we reach the end of a challenging week.

Learning to embrace what I evidently need, rather than stubbornly insist on getting what I want, is clearly a lifelong lesson.

July 12, 2023

So good to be back

Today we spent a glorious morning with the twenty or so great souls who are participating in the Living Discipleship program at the Ananda Meditation Retreat.

It was our first time back — both to the location and to teaching at the program — since March 2020. In fact, we were poised to go up and present our class when the word came down that everything (pretty much in the world) was cancelled!

So, it was great to be there and it was also a little surreal to think back and remember how so much changed at that time…virtually overnight.

July 11, 2023

My latest fantasy

Lately I’ve been fantasizing about holing up for (at least) two to four days in a quiet, peaceful spot (near the ocean would be absolutely ideal) and reading books.

That used to be one of my favorite things to do as a child, as a teenager, and as a young adult. In fact, I can recall days when I would do nothing but read. It was very relaxing for me.

Now I sneak it in by reading while I’m doing something else. But it’s not the same. Not at all.

July 10, 2023

Where it’s happening

This is the studio where we’ve been spending many (many!) hours over the past few weeks with Mike Georgia, our recording engineer.

The project? Putting the finishing touches on our Oratorio performance from last April.

We’re excited to be seeing some light at the end of the tunnel!

July 9, 2023July 9, 2023

Moving forward with my gratitude idea?

I’m a step closer to moving forward with the wild and crazy “gratitude” idea that I mentioned the other day.

It feels “wild and crazy” to me because it’s absolutely the first time in my entire life that I’ve considered getting a tattoo!

I’m not quite there yet, but after researching various tattoo studios in our area, I found a place with which I resonate.

Here’s the caption that accompanied the above photo:

Sacred Space
We have created a sacred space to offer ritual tattoo and adornment in Nevada City, CA. Our vision is to inspire and empower you to adorn your body with the symbols that support you to step into your highest self. We believe tattoo is a birth rite. A sacred journey towards wholeness.